Speaking during the visit to the reserve, Dr Shaikh Sultan called on Emiratis and residents to keep public parks and facilities and camping grounds clean in order to preserve a healthy and balanced environment, which was affected by urban expansion and illegal poaching and hunting activities leading to the extinction of a large number of species of plants, including birds, reptiles and even animals.

“We urge the public to work on preserving the environment. It is truly upsetting for municipality officials and environmental authorities to exert such massive efforts, only to have someone completely undo their work. People must advise one another and parents should educate their children about such matters. I also urge people to refrain from driving their cars over the plants and shrubs,” Shaikh Sultan said.

The Ruler of Sharjah was accompanied by Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, head of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director of Al Bataeh Municipality, and other officials.

The Muntathir reserve stretches over an area of 12.5 kilometres in height and 400 metre in width. The reserve has capacity for 1.25 million Ghaf and Sidr trees. Dr Shaikh Sultan added that the reserve can even accommodate up to seven million shrubs, which only need some protection from vehicles.

Dr Shaikh Sultan added that work on many other reserves has already commenced, and that they will soon be completed in order to preserve various endangered plants. He pointed out that operations are also underway to collect seedlings and shrubs for the reproduction of these endangered plants.

Addressing officials from Al Bataeh Municipality and EPAA, Dr Shaikh Sultan expressed to them his profound appreciation for their efforts exerted for environmental preservation.